Winter cycling on a tight budget

[jowwy]

Look like great shoes, saw them advertised in CyclingPlus, only issue is the price tag.

Yeh there not cheap to say the least. There others available, but they really are worth it.

 

[MikeW-71]

Might just add one item to the list..
A pair of road shoes with little or no vents to help keep your feet warm.

Normal socks, then put a small plastic bag on each foot before putting your shoes on. Good windproofing on the cheap.

 

[nappadang]

Always found the base layers good value at Sports Direct.

I was bought two campri thermal tops for my birthday in October. Wore one an Saturday for the first time. I had no clean decent ones.
I have to say that they are pretty decent. Obviously not I the league as Sub Zero etc but excellent value.

 

[Steve T]

My latest tip for warm feet is neoprene surfer socks I had to buy XL ones and I am a size 7 shoe! However my feet were toasty at the end of the ride and, but when you take them off your feet are pretty damp so you need to dry them inside out( or that could just be me!) About £6 from Amazon and worth every penny.http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DW66IT6/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Decathlon do some nice layers in the walking section, A couple of years back I got a really soft comfortable merino blend long sleeve mid layer for £20. They also do windproof socks which are surprisingly warm too.
Also do a nice glove liner that helps a lot when the temperature drops and will fit in even quite thick padded winter ones.

On layering, doing the socks works too, a trainer liner inside a wool sock works well as it traps heat & wool has very good heat retention properties when a bit sweaty.

 

[Crankarm]

SportsDirect Campri baselayers £6-8 are brilliant for the money. I have lots of them and most are well into their 3rd year and some 4-5 years and still going strong. They have far out lasted my 2 pairs of expensive Helly Hansen Ice Crew base layers I bought last winter (57% Merino Wool) that fell apart after 3 months. Total crap I wouldn't touch Helly Hansen with a barge pole and they refused to replace them as well blaming my washing of them. What a sh1t product and a sh1t company!

Endura MT500 winter bibs long leggings windproof and warm.

I recommend Endura MT500 overshoes Shimano MW80 winter boots (one size larger), North Face Highpoint Gore Windproof hat with ear protection and Thinsulate fleece hats to go under a helmet or the High point hat. Also Sealskinz winter cycling gloves warm and breathable.

Fleece heater 2-3 tog socks about £2 in cheap shoe shops then wear these over a couple of pairs of Endura Coolmax liner socks. Don't wear placcy bags as feet will get clammy as they can't breath and then COLD.

Also eye protection - Madison Coasters (£12.99)clear lens to protect your eyes from snow sleet and freezing wind.

HTH.

 

[nappadang]

SportsDirect Campri baselayers £6-8 are brilliant for the money. I have lots of them and most are well into their 3rd year and some 4-5 years and still going strong. They have far out lasted my 2 pairs of expensive Helly Hansen Ice Crew base layers I bought last winter (57% Merino Wool) that fell apart after 3 months. Total crap I wouldn't touch Helly Hansen with a barge pole and they refused to replace them as well blaming my washing of them. What a sh1t product and a sh1t company!

Endura MT500 winter bibs long leggings windproof and warm.

I recommend Endura MT500 overshoes Shimano MW80 winter boots (one size larger), North Face Highpoint Gore Windproof hat with ear protection and Thinsulate fleece hats to go under a helmet or the High point hat. Also Sealskinz winter cycling gloves warm and breathable.

Fleece heater 2-3 tog socks about £2 in cheap shoe shops then wear these over a couple of pairs of Endura Coolmax liner socks. Don't wear placcy bags as feet will get clammy as they can't breath and then COLD.

Also eye protection - Madison Coasters (£12.99)clear lens to protect your eyes from snow sleet and freezing wind.

HTH.

Brilliant summary, thanks.

 

[Roadrider48]

Crankarm is dead right about Campri! I have two long sleeve base layer tops and two pairs of base layer legging things. Very hard wearing and cheap! Viva la sports direct!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Campri Ski Gloves at Sports Direct £5 brilliant!

Winter/Commuter Tyres on a budget: Bonty Harcase in 25c from JE James about £14 a pair.

Second the 2 prs of socks and sandwich bag trick! Also, tape-over the vents on your shoes!

 

[Fab Foodie]

[QUOTE 2777670, member: 259"]Do you use them for cycling FF?[/quote]
Yes, just for that.
Many a time we've been out in cold conditions and my hands have been toasty when people with fancy 'branded' cycle-gloves have been suffering.
They're not hugely waterproof but stay warm when wet (garage station plastic gloves worn inside help when sodden). I can also just get a thin padded glove inside for extra comfort.
Mine have lasted many winters and I really need new ones now only because I ripped-em up a bit when I came off in the spring!

 

[outlash]

I'd say that overshoes are an essential in cold weather, nothing worse than cold and/or damp feet while on a ride. Considerably cheaper than winter specific boots too.


Tony.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I'd say that overshoes are an essential in cold weather, nothing worse than cold and/or damp feet while on a ride. Considerably cheaper than winter specific boots too.


Tony.

Yes, but don't get the "Funkier" brand, they are awful.
They don't keep feet warm or dry even in the lightest of shower.

 

[Widge]

Some great ideas here. Thanks all.

They don't come any more 'cheapskate' than me I reckon! I am a big(ish) fan of the Aldi/Lidl brand of kit. Some of it is ghastly rubbish - but I've had deep joy in the thunderbold from their winter jacket (about £17.00 back along and comparable to 50 quid type offerings elswhere) - winter gloves(triple layer water/wind resist and about a fiver) An 'on-one' merino neck tube from planet X (£11.99 and toastie) and a £3.99 polyester skull cap I found on ePray. I bought a few pairs of super fleecy high-tog socks from my local garage too and they hit the spot....if a bit bulky.

I also wear a tin-foil hat and wrap myself in alternating layers of toilet paper and old Tesco carrier bags

widge

 

[Andy clarke]

Hi guys I'm really new to this road biking so please ignore my noob ness tights and so on just go under your normal trousers? My trousers are the same material as my shorts what is recommended (I hate flappy) clothes when riding any help greatly appreciated

 

[Mike_P]

Todays the coldest I've cycled in for many years, and was quite comfortable wearing a Mountain warehouse baselayer top (£20 for 2), 5" merino wool socks (Planet X £4), lightweight 3/4 padded shorts, Planet X rouabix bib tights (£25), thin long sleeve Muddy Fox jersey, Lidl cycling jacket, high vis gilet and beanie hat (£1 Poundworld) under the helmet. As an alternative using shorter socks and 3/4 length shorts I have a set of shin warmers (£10.40 Chain reaction) which I was going to put on but they had vanished to the depths if the sock drawer when I was looking for them.